Continuous torque regulator

ABSTRACT

Continuous torque regulator formed by a transmission system and a regulating circuit, wherein the transmission system is formed by three epicycloid gears, in which each one is formed by a planetary gear, a series of satellite pinions and a crown wheel, wherein the second and third planetary gears are rigidly joined, and the satellite gears of the third train are double, the regulating circuit having a pressure pump (Bp) which is joined by means of a pinion to the crown wheel (C 1 ), a control valve (Vc) which is joined by means of a pinion to the shaft of the planetary gear (A 1 ) and a valve (N) which in the event of being actuated torque transmission ceases, the assembly permitting the regulation of torque in a continuous form without steps and without any need for interruption mechanisms, it being possible to interrupt the transmission at will.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Applicant claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Spanish ApplicationNo. P 200002025, filed on Aug. 8, 2000. Applicant also claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. §120 of PCT/ES01/00218, filed on May 30, 2001. Theinternational application under PCT article 21(2) was not published inEnglish.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention proposed herein refers to a continuoustorque regulator which is an assembly of mechanisms the purpose of whichis to implement a regulation of the torque in a continuous manner, thatis without jumps or steps, in other words it is not discrete in form,wherein said regulation is implemented between two values, between zerotorque and calculated maximum torque.

Among the applications for continuous torque regulators is that ofreplacing clutches and gearboxes in transport vehicles like motor carsand trucks, being applicable in the machinery of heavy vehicles liketractors, civil works machinery like cranes and excavators, and in allthose machines in which the torque to be applied has to be matched to anend job to be carried out. It is of special interest for those caseswhere the torque is applied in a manner that is not constant butvariable and has to be applied in a form that is continuous and withoutsteps.

Thus the present invention falls within the scope of the mechanisms formachines that have to apply a torque and more specifically within thescope of the continuous torque regulators.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Up to the present time, torque regulators are based on systems ofclutches, converters and other couplings with all their actuatingsystems (pedals, levers, etc.). All these systems have the drawback ofbeing of low efficiency and make poor use of the input torque, and alsoare limited to the torque to be transmitted and do not permit the torqueto amplified to a sufficient degree.

Hence the objective of the present invention is to overcome theforegoing drawbacks, achieving a torque transmission system which has ahigh efficiency and can be used to regulate high torque values, as wellas to amplify the input torque in a sufficient manner, and in which saidsystem does not require mechanisms to interrupt the transmission oftorque in order to carry out actions such as increasing, diminishing orhalting the transmission of torque, as well as having a final directionof rotation the same as or opposite to that of the input, it beingpossible to interrupt at will independently of the regulation which isbeing performed at the time and in which the transmission of torque iscontinuous by design, although the operation may be carried out in astepped manner, and which as a result permits a better use of the finalavailable power.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The proposed invention of a continuous torque regulator consists of amechanism based on a series of epicycloid gears. An epicycloid gearmechanism is formed by a pinion termed planetary gear which engages withtwo or three pinions arranged on its circumference, which are given thename of satellite pinions. The driving shafts of the satellite pinionsare joined to each other through a frame in such a manner that therelative position is maintained of the three satellite pinions. Thesesatellite pinions are located inside a crown wheel which, toothed on theinside, engages with these satellite pinions.

The continuous torque regulator assembly is formed by three epicycloidgears in which the first and second epicycloid gears are tied by meansof a frame which joins the shafts of the satellite gears of theepicycloid gears. The third gear likewise has a planetary gear, butwhich in this case is joined to the planetary gear of the secondepicycloid gear. This third gear also has satellite gears but with theparticularity that they are double pinions in a single body, in whichthe larger pinion is that which engages with the planetary gear. Theshafts of these gears are joined to each other by means of a framewhich, at the same time, is the frame which ties the satellite pinionsof the second and of the third gears, the entire assembly being enclosedby a crown wheel which encloses the double satellite pinions but whichengages with the smaller of the satellites.

On the shaft which drives the planetary gear of the first epicycloidgear is mounted a pinion which serves to transmit the motion to thecontrol valve. In turn, on the crown wheel of the first epicycloid gear,is mounted another pinion which serves to transmit the motion to thepressure pump.

On the outside face of the crown wheels of the second and thirdepicycloid gears are grooves such that by means of mechanisms which canbe inserted at will, it is possible to stop one or the other of the twocrown wheels can be achieved.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and benefits of the present invention shallbecome more clear in the following detailed description of the preferredembodiment, made with reference to the drawings attached, in which:

FIG. 1.—Shows a representation of an epicycloid gear.

FIG. 2.—Shows the torque transmission system of the continuous torqueregulator.

FIG. 3.—Shows the continuous torque regulator and the path followed inthe transmission of the motion.

FIG. 4.—Shows the operating principle of the continuous torque regulatorsystem.

FIG. 5.—Shows the regulating process of the control valve and thepressure pump bypass valve.

FIG. 6.—Shows the mechanical links between the pressure pump and controlvalve with the transmission system.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the foregoing figures, it can be seen from FIG. 1 howan epicycloid gear is formed, the same consisting of a planetary gear(A) on which is arranged each of the satellite pinions (B) and aroundthese a crown wheel (C) which internally meshes with the satellitepinions (B). The relative position of said satellite pinions (B) ismaintained thanks to the shafts thereof being joined by means of a frame(D).

In FIG. 2 can be seen how the transmission system of the regulatormechanism is formed, the same being formed by three epicycloid gears.The first gear is formed by a planetary gear (A1) on which are arrangedsome satellite pinions (B1) which are meshed with the inner part of acrown wheel (C1) mounted externally. The second epicycloid gear islikewise formed by a planetary gear (A2) on which are arranged somesatellite pinions (B2) which are engaged on the inner part of a crownwheel (C2). The first and the second gears are tied by the frame thatjoins the shafts of the satellite pinions. The third gear is formed by aplanetary gear (A3) which is united with the planetary gear (A2) of thesecond epicycloid gear, also having satellite pinions (B3) but in thiscase the pinions are double pinions in a single body, in such a mannerthat the larger part of the satellite pinions (B3) is that which engageswith the planetary gear (A3), whilst the smaller part of the satellitepinions (B3) is that which engages with the crown wheel (C3) and whichis extended radially to form a plate.

On the shaft which drives the planetary gear (A1) is mounted a pinion(Vc) which serves to transmit the motion to the control valve. On thecrown wheel (C1) is mounted another pinion (Dp) which serves to transmitthe motion to the pressure pump.

It can be observed that on the outside part of each of the crown wheels(C2) and (C3) are grooves into which the pieces (F2) and (F3) can beinserted at will since the latter are joined to the casing that enclosesthe transmission system, blocking and halting said crown wheels.

In FIG. 3 can be seen the different paths that the motion can follow inwhich in condition a) the input and the output have the same directionof rotation, in b) the transmission is interrupted and in c) thedirection of rotation is reversed. Whether the direction of rotation isthe same or reversed, depends on how the mechanisms (F2) and (F3) arearranged. It is pointed out that it is not possible to carry outsimultaneous blocking of the crown wheels (C2) and (C3) since, if thisoccurred, blocking of both would take place and as the directions ofrotation are opposite, the mechanism would be destroyed.

When the motion reaches the shaft of the planetary gear (A1), the lattertransmits the motion to the satellite pinions (B1) and, since the crownwheel (C1) engages with satellite pinions (B1) and is governed by thepinion that joins it to the pressure pump, two situations can arise:

a) The crown wheel (C1) turns freely moved by the satellite pinions (B1)whereby the frame which supports said pinions (B1) remains still anddoes not pass the motion to the other gear trains.

b) The crown wheel (C1) can turn more or less quickly or be completelystopped, whereby the satellite gears (B1) shall run on the inside of thecrown wheel (C1) driving the frame (D) which supports them.

Then the motion transmitted through the frame (D) reaches the second andthird epicycloid gears, in which case three different situations canarise:

the first: that the crown wheel (C2) is halted by the mechanism (F2), inwhich case the satellite pinions (B2) run on the inside, transmittingthe motion to the planetary gear (A2). The shaft that drives theplanetary gear (A2) shall rotate in the same direction as the planetarygear (A1). In addition, the motion reaches the third epicycloid gearfrom two sides, via the frame that unites the satellite pinions (B1) and(B3) and via the planetary gear (A2) since its shaft is firmly joined tothe shaft of the planetary gear (A3), and, since the crown wheel (C3)can rotate freely, the entire train shall turn without affecting itstransmission system. The output rotation is in the same direction as theinput rotation.

The second situation that can occur is that of the third crown wheel(C3) having its rotation blocked by the mechanism (F3), in which casethe crown wheel (C2) has to turn freely. The motion is applied to thethird epicycloid gear through the frame which holds the satellitepinions (B3). As satellite pinion (B3) is double and it is the smallerpart which engages with the crown wheel (C3) which is blocked, then therotation of said pinion (B3) occurs which, by having its larger partengaged with the planetary gear (A3), causes the latter to rotate, whichin this case is in the opposite direction. Under these circumstances thesecond epicycloid gear, by having the crown wheel (C2) free, does notinterfere with the motion of the third gear.

The third situation is that in which both crown wheel (C2) and crownwheel (C3) rotate freely, in which case the motion to the second andthird epicycloid gears arrives via the frame (D), the planetary gears(A2) and (A3) being stopped due to the inherent resistance of the outputshaft. Given that crown wheels (C2) and (C3) are free, each satelliteand crown of the epicycloid trains shall rotate as per its design butshall not transmit any motion to the output shaft.

From FIG. 4 it can be seen how the continuous torque regulator system iscomprised of:

Pressure pump (Bp) which is moved by the crown wheel (C1), is formed oftwo gear assemblies which engage with each other and has an inlet and anoutlet orifice.

Control valve (Vc) which is a rotor with some longitudinally milledgrooves wherein the blades of said rotor have some elastic elementsmounted inside them which push the blades outwards. The rotor, togetherwith its vanes, are housed inside a circular chamber and can be moved atwill. The control valve is moved by the shaft that drives the planetarygear (A1) of the first epicycloid gear.

Hydraulic circuit which is formed by a series of channels that connectthe control valve (Vc) with the pressure pump (Bp), there being a bypasson the pressure pump (Bp) which is actuated by the valve (N).

The regulation process consists in making the operation of the pressurepump (Bp) vary and therefore that of the crown wheel (C1) of the firstepicycloid gear. When the motion reaches the shaft of the planetary gear(A1), said motion is transmitted to the satellite gears (B1) which, inturn, transmit it to the crown wheel (C1) and the latter to the pressurepump (Bp). The pressure pump (Bp) drives the oil to the control valve(Vc) in order that it move the shaft of the planetary gear (A1), thatis, it behaves like a valve that once again transfers the oil to thepressure pump (Bp). If the control valve (Vc) transfers the same oil tothe pressure pump (Bp) then the crown wheel (C1) rotates freely.

As the circular chamber of the control valve can be made to vary bydisplacing it with respect to the rotor, then an eccentric cavity can beestablished, whereby the quantity of oil is altered that is transferredto the pressure pump (Bp). Thus, if the circular chamber of the controlvalve (Vc) is displaced towards the centre, the oil flowing to thepressure pump (Bp) is less, therefore the latter shall rotate moreslowly and consequently the crown wheel (C1), for which reason thesatellite pinions (B1) shall be compelled to run on its insidedisplacing the frame (D) which is the element that transmits the motionto the other epicycloid gears. In the degree that the circular chamberof the control valve (Vc) is brought closer to the centre of its rotor,the slower shall the pressure pump (Bp) and the crown wheel (C1) turn,whilst the frame (D) which holds the satellite pinions (B1) shall, onthe contrary, turn faster.

If the circular chamber of the control valve (Vc) is moved to thecentre, no oil is allowed to pass and therefore the pressure pump (Bp)is unable to impel any oil and is stopped together with the crown wheel(C1), it being the satellite pinions (B1) which by means of the frame(D) transmit the motion to the other gears. In the event that valve (N)is open, a bypass is formed such that the pressure pump (Bp) turnsfreely without there being any torque transmitted, it being possible toactuate this valve at will during any of the regulation phases.

In FIG. 5 can be seen the control valve (Vc) and the different positionsit can adopt, in which:

Position a) is that which permits maximum passage of oil.

Position b) is an intermediate position.

And position c) in which the circular chamber in which the rotor and itsvanes are housed is in a central position and impedes the passage ofoil.

In the lower part can be seen the open and closed position of the bypassvalve (N).

FIG. 6 shows how the mechanical link is formed of the control valve (Vc)and the pressure pump (Bp) with the transmission system for which use ismade of each of the pinions mounted on the shaft of the planetary gear(A1) and of the crown wheel (C1) respectively.

The invention, within its essential nature, can be implemented inpractice in other forms of embodiment which differ in detail from thatindicated by way of example in the description, and which shall likewisebe covered by the protection claimed. Likewise it can be constructed inany form and size with the most appropriate materials and still remainwithin the spirit of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. Continuous torque regulator, characterized inthat it permits interruption of the torque at will, a direction ofrotation at the output can be the same as or opposite to that of thedirection of the input and in which the torque regulation is continuousand free of steps being constituted by a transmission system and aregulation system, in which the transmission system comprises threeepicycloid gear sets, in which the first gear set has a first planetarygear (A1) on which are arranged first satellite pinions (B1) whichmaintain their relative position upon a frame (D), and which engage afirst crown wheel (C1) on its inside part, the second gear set has asecond planetary gear (A2), second satellite pinions (B2) and a secondcrown wheel (C2) while the third gear set consists of a third planetarygear (A3) firmly joined to said second planetary gear (A2), havingsatellite double pinions (B3) which in their broader part engage withsaid third planetary gear (A3) and in their narrower part engage with athird crown wheel (C3), wherein a pinion which transmits motion to acontrol valve (Vc) is mounted on a shaft connected to the firstplanetary gear (A1), while another pinion located on the first crownwheel (C1) transmits motion to a pressure pump (Bp); on the outsidesurface of each of the second (C2) and third (C3) crown wheels, recessesare formed for first (F2) and second (F3) mechanisms, and in which thetorque regulation system is formed by said pressure pump (Bp), saidcontrol valve (Vc) and another valve (N).
 2. Continuous torqueregulator, in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said first(F2) and second (F3) mechanisms can be inserted into the recesses ofsaid second (C2) and third (C3) crown wheels to halt and block saidcrown wheels, on condition that the two crown wheels must never beblocked simultaneously since in such an event the mechanism isdestroyed.
 3. Continuous torque regulator, in accordance with claim 1,characterized in that the pressure pump (Bp) of the regulation system isformed by two pinions which engage with each other and are enclosed in acasing which has an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice, being moved bythe first crown wheel (C1) of the first epicycloid gear set. 4.Continuous torque regulator, in accordance with claim 1, characterizedin that the control valve (Vc) of the regulation system is formed by arotor on which are mounted blades which by means of elastic elements,push the blades outwards, and in which a circular chamber can be movedat will in a direction transversal to the rotor, the control valve (Vc)being moved by the first planetary gear (A1) by means of said pinion. 5.Continuous torque regulator, in accordance with claim 1, characterizedin that said other valve (N) is mounted in a bypass or bridging form onthe pressure pump (Bp) such that on being actuated, the pressure pumpcan turn freely without torque being transmitted, and can be actuated atwill during any regulation phase.
 6. Continuous torque regulator, inaccordance with claim 1, characterized in that a hydraulic circuit ofthe regulation system of the torque regulator is formed by a series ofchannels that connect the control valve (Vc) with the pressure pump(Bp), there being a bypass for the pressure pump (Bp), implemented bymeans of said other valve (N), and wherein the hydraulic circuit can befilled with any liquid.
 7. Continuous torque regulator, in accordancewith claim 1, characterized in that in the event that the first crownwheel (C1) turns more or less quickly due to the regulation system, thenin the event that the second crown wheel (C2) is blocked, the motionreaching the second gear set via the frame (D) and via the secondplanetary gear (A2) which is firmly joined to the third planetary gear(A3), the direction of rotation of the output shall be the same as thatof the input, while if the third crown wheel (C3) is blocked, then themotion reaches the third gear set via the frame (D), the third planetarygear (A3) rotating in the opposite direction to the first planetary gear(A1), the second gear set does not intervene in the transmission ofmotion; and if neither of the second or third crown wheels is blocked,they shall rotate freely without any motion being transmitted to theoutput shaft.
 8. Continuous torque regulator, in accordance with claim1, characterized in that the regulation system permits the operation ofthe pressure pump (Bp) to be made variable from being halted to turningfreely, since the motion that reaches the shaft of the first planetarygear (A1) is transmitted to the first satellites (B1) and therefore tothe frame (D), which if it offers resistance, the first satellites (B1)move the first crown wheel (C1) which in turn moves the pressure pump(Bp).
 9. Continuous torque regulator, in accordance with claim 8,characterized in that moving a circular chamber of the control valve(Vc) toward a center permits less oil to pass and consequently thepressure pump (Bp) cannot impel as much oil and shall rotate more slowlyand, with it, the first crown wheel (C1), the first satellites (B1)running round on the inside of the first crown wheel (C1) carrying withthem the frame (D); the closer the circular chamber of the control valve(Vc) is brought to the center, the slower will the pressure pump (Bp)turn, and therefore the first crown wheel (C1), and on the contrary, thefaster shall the frame (D) turn.